Fabrication and validation of CO2-sensitive indicator to monitor the freshness of poultry meat

• Published in: Food packaging and shelf life Vol. 34; p. 100930
• Main Authors: Obaidi, Amal Al, Karaca, Irem Melda, Ayhan, Zehra, Haskaraca, Guliz, Gultekin, Emre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2022
• Subjects: Bromothymol blue; CO2 responsive indicator; Color change; pH sensitive dyes; Phenol red; Poultry meat; PR; TVB-Ns; pH sensitive dyes; CO2 responsive indicator; CO2; NaOH; RGB; LDPE; BTB; PA; MC; PEG-400; Color change; MAP; Poultry meat; PET; Bromothymol blue; Phenol red
• ISSN: 2214-2894; 2214-2894
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.100930

Three-layer CO2-sensitive intelligent labels consisting of PET as transparent gas impermeable film, the color changing layer with pH dyes (bromothymol blue (BTB) and phenol red (PR)) immobilized with a cellulose-based binder, and a white PE film as the gas permeable inner layer. The intelligent labels were implemented in PA/PE bags for CO2 simulation at concentrations of 0–30 %, and color change (∆E and ∆RGB) was monitored at 4 °C and 25 °C for 24 h. Chicken breast was packaged with PA/PE bags integrated with the intelligent labels and the color change was monitored at 10 °C for 4 days. BTB-based indicators showed a higher color difference than PR-based indicators in simulation and poultry packaging. However, phenol red-based indicators showed a more distinct and noticeable color change. The increase in CO2 correlates well with the color change. PR and BTB-based pH sensitive dyes are successfully used to monitor poultry meat spoilage in real packaging conditions.
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•CO2 responsive intelligent label was fabricated using phenol red and bromothymol blue.•Real packaging conditions were used for both simulation and food validation studies.•The color change values correlated well with the increase in CO2 concentrations.•The ∆RGB values represented the color change better than the ∆E values.•Phenol red showed a more distinct color change for poultry spoilage tracking.